The ADAM (Arduino Display Adapter Module) provides an interface between the 4D Systems 4DLCD-FT843 display and most Arduino systems. This provides the Arduino with a SPI display powered by the FTDI FT800 Video Engine. The FT800 Video Engine features EVE (Embedded Video Engine), which takes care of many of the graphics functions from the Arduino.

There is a microSD card slot on the ADAM for use as a storage device, so the 4DLCD-FT843 display can retrieve images, sounds, etc. The module also features a reset button for the Arduino (since the module's installation will obscure the Arduino's own reset button), and a 10-way FPC interface to attach your 4DLCD-FT843 display.

ADAM also breaks out the audio from the FT800 processor on the display module. The ADAM shield has an unpopulated two-pin header which you can use to connect an external filter and amplifier circuit.

Communication between the Arduino and the 4DLCD-FT843 display (via ADAM) is by the SPI bus, along with four digital I/Os. The SPI bus is connected to the ICSP connector of the Arduino, which is in a common location on many Arduino boards.

Compatible Arduino Boards

The ADAM requires 5V, as provided by standard Arduino boards. It will not work on 3.3V Arduino boards with the exception of the Arduino Due, which does still provide 5V on the 5V pin to power the ADAM (there is a jumper to adjust SPI bus voltage for Due compatibility). Examples of compatible Arduino boards include:

Note: Some compatible boards don't have the ICSP header populated, so you would need to install a 2×3-pin header before you can use ADAM. (If you need to install pins in your Arduino, you can purchase a 2×10-pin breakaway strip and break off a 2×3 section to solder to your Arduino.)

Other Arduino boards and clones should work too if they provide 5V and have a male ICSP header in the standard location — some Arduino clones (including some that we carry, e.g. those produced by Olimex) do not have the ICSP header in the standard location, thus will not be compatible with ADAM.

Compatibility with Additional Shields

The ADAM board features four sets of jumpers that allow you to change the digital pins used on the Arduino, so you will have a better chance of being compatible with other shields: